Ex-LaSalle CEO forms alliance with DLA Piper

Mr. Bobins, 65, who retired from Chicago's top business bank at the end of last year following its acquisition by Bank of America Corp., has formed a strategic alliance with law firm DLA Piper in Chicago.

He will provide advice to banking clients of DLA Piper, as well as strategic counsel to the firm on how to grow its banking practice.

Mr. Bobins, whose future plans in the banking industry have been the subject of intense speculation in Chicago banking circles, says he foresees being able to offer regulatory advice to bank clients of the firm.

But he anticipates the project won't consume more than a couple of days per month.

Friends and associates of Mr. Bobins continue to believe he will join the board of PrivateBancorp Inc., the mid-sized lender now run by Larry Richman, Mr. Bobins' protégé at LaSalle.

Mr. Bobins, who told Crain's last month that he was interested in rejoining the banking industry in a non-executive position, said there was nothing to add on that front at this point.

But he did say that the DLA Piper arrangement doesn't prevent him from joining a bank board.